most of the debate up to now about the fiscal cliff has focused on defense cuts and expiring tax cuts. justifiable. but the ramifications for local safety nets are equally portentous. in my district, for example, fairfax county, recently kicked off its annual hypothermia prevention program. during my tenure on the county board i worked with faith, business, and community leaders to open houses of worship and other places to offer shelter from the cold and a hot meal for the homeless and individuals and families. it saves lives. last winter the program served more than 1,000 clients in one of the wealthiest districts in the united states. sequestration threatens support for this and other federal homeless prevention efforts. the mckinny-vento program prevents homelessness would be cut by as much as $156 million. you didn't hear anything about that just now. and it would leave more than 145,000 more people out in the cold at risk of dying from hypothermia. similarly families in every state rely on low-income heating assistance which stands to lose as much as $270 million in sequestratio